Beginning Wednesday, USC will offer saliva-based coronavirus tests to students, faculty and staff. The Saliva Assay Free Expedited (SAFE) test allows for results to return within 24 to 48 hours.
USC’s College of Pharmacy received the go-ahead for the SAFE tests last week from the Federal Drug Administration through a certified lab. USC is one of the few universities in the country and only university in the state to be certified to perform saliva-based tests.
This week, walk-up testing will be available at Davis Field II, located between Thomas Cooper Library and Longstreet Theatre. Hours will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday to Friday.
Starting next week through the rest of this semester, testing will be available Monday, Wednesday and Friday at Davis Field II between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., or 650 Lincoln for inclement weather. On Tuesday and Thursday, testing will be offered between noon and 4 p.m. at 650 Lincoln.
Those being tested will have to login through the SAFE testing site. People being tested will be asked to sign a HIPAA document, a consent form for the test and provide contact information in order to receive their results.